Action by Alvin and Vivian is extreme - Robert Phang

July 15, 2013 08:23 MYT

KUALA LUMPUR: Social Care Foundation chairman Tan Sri Robert Phang described as extreme the action by the couple, Tan Jye Yee (Alvin), 25, and Vivian Lee, 24, in uploading the photograph and caption that touched on the sensitivity of Muslims in the social website, Face book, on Saturday.

Phang, who was approached by reporters at a media conference at the Jalan Tun Razak Police Station, Sunday, said the action had offended many Muslims who were now fasting in conjunction with Ramadan. "It is not a healthy thing to do. We should stop such action and not allow it to happen," he said.

The couple, who had previously created controversy over their pornographic video clip in Singapore, had uploaded a photograph of them eating 'bak kut teh' (a pork dish), in the Face book last Friday with the greeting 'Selamat Berbuka Puasa with bak kut teh ...fragrant, delicious and appetising' together with the 'halal' logo.

Meanwhile, several Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country urged the government to review the MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantees to check the abuse of the social media which was becoming more rampant.

Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said the freedom of information enjoyed by Malaysians had clearly been abused and could become a 'poison' to national prosperity.

"There is a limitation to everything. Just like food, if it is consumed excessively, it will certainly cause illness and become toxic," he said when contacted by Bernama, here on Sunday.

He was commenting on the action by the couple, Tan and Lee who had uploaded the photograph in the Face book that offended the Muslims.

Today, another Face book account had insulted the holy month of Ramadan by posting an advertisement for the breaking of the fast with the photograph of roasted pork carrying the 'halal' logo.

Nadzim said there was a need to have a 'checking mechanism' to replace the Bill of Guarantees to churn out Malaysians who were more responsible in using the information in the country.

"It is acknowledged that there is so much information through the internet and this can be easily spread compared to the mainstream information media such as the newspapers, but the responsible party must have a mechanism to stop whatever information that can offend the other races," he said.

Meanwhile, the PPIM will launch a blog that will become the avenue to share information on Islam including responding to questions on doubts and misperception on Islam.

Two other NGOs, Ikatan Rakyat Insan Muslim Malaysia (IRIMM) and the Malaysian Consumers Development Board (LPPM) lodged police reports against the couple behind the controversy at the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters.

IRIMM president Amir Amsaa Alla Pitchay said the couple's action in uploading the photograph had offended the Muslims and was very rude.

"They have offended all Muslims in the country for ridiculing the month of Ramadan and as though Jakim (Islamic Development Department) allows the dish. It can affect national harmony and create religious tension," he said.